My shadow is lying on top of me
like a lover
whispering sweet nothings in my ear.
He devotes himself to me entirely
and day after day
never lets me out of his sight.
My shadow sleeps with one eye open
and the other eye is always on me
He is afraid I will slip away from him
during the night
and he would die without me.
He is afraid to be alone, and also
he is afraid of the dark.
He needs me, he begs me to stay.
He knows I hate him, I hate
the way he clings to me.
He refuses to leave me alone.
He is smudged across my life
like watery indelible ink
He is a black mark against me.
If I could kill him I would;
I’ve tried hundreds of times
and I know it’s hopeless.
Always he reappears; at night he
haunts me, waking me
trembling and cold.
And all night, I feel his tears
dripping down my face.
He lies awake, saying
Hold me, hold me.
And I lie awake, saying
I can’t.